Apparatus for shredding or cutting heads of lettuce, cabbage and the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for cutting or shredding cabbage, lettuce and the like to make salads, slaw and similar items, wherein means is provided for a self-feeding of the heads to a rotating cutter blade to thereby eliminate hand or pusher feeding of such heads. The rotating cutter is mounted for rotation in a vertical plane and is disposed so that it is readily accessible for a rapid and thorough cleaning without requiring removal of the cutter or any disassembly thereof.

I United States Patent 1 1 3,590,896

[72] Inventors Halbert R. Hill; [56] References Cited Garfield C. Silverson. both of Harris UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 126 100 8/1938 Ezell 146/114 P 2,994,355 8/1961 Leuze... 146/115 [221 FM 1887 921 11/1932 c1 146/114 [451 Paemed 6119" 2644500 7 1953 St li 146 114 x [73] Assignee Moore 81 Stephenson, by said Hill l a mu I Houston, Tex. Primary ExaminerWillie G. Abercrombie part interest to each Attorney-Pravel, Wilson and Matthews APPARATUS FOR SHREDDING OR CUTTING ABSTRACT: Anapparatus for cutting or shredd ng caobage, HEADS 0F LETTUCE CABBAGE AND THE LIKE lettuce and the l1ke to make salads, slaw and simllar items, a CM 5 D wherein means is provided for a self-feeding of the heads to a I rotating cutter blade to thereby eliminate hand or pusher feed- [52] US. Cl 146/114 ing of such heads. The rotating cutter is mounted for rotation [51] Int. Cl v. B02c 18/06 in a vertical plane and is disposed so that it is readily accessi- [50] Field of Search 146/ 1 l4, ble for a rapid and thorough cleaning without requiring l 15 removal of the cutter or any disassembly thereof.

PATENTED JUL 6I97l 3590.896

f/a/berf A.

INVENTORJ Magda pun/J WZIAW & MaHLewA /4 TTOR/VF YS APPARATUS FOR SHREDDING OR CUTTING HEADS OF LETTUCE, CABBAGE AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is apparatus for cutting or shredding heads of cabbages, lettuce or the like.

So far as is known, all of the apparatus heretofore used for cutting or shredding heads of cabbage or lettuce have involved horizontally disposed cutters against which the heads of cabbage or lettuce were held or forced by a person's hands or by a mechanical pusher structure. Such apparatus required extreme care and timing on the part of the operator to prevent a cutting of his fingers as he was forcing the heads of cabbage or lettuce against the sharp knives of the cutter. If a mechanical pusher was used, the danger to the operator's hands was reduced, but controlled manual feeding of the pusher was still required so that an operator had to be constantly on the job at the apparatus.

Also, with such prior apparatus, the horizontal disposition of the cutter made it difficult to thoroughly clean except by the removal of the cutter, which was timeconsuming and undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for cutting or shredding heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like into salads, slaw or similar items, without requiring any hand or manual feeding or pushing of the heads into contact with the cutter, whereby the need for an operator to be present at the machine at all times is obviated. Also, danger to an operator's hands is obviated.

Additionally, the cutter blade is disposed for rotation in a vertical plane and is enclosed by a hinged housing so that by simply pivoting the housing away from the cutter, the entire cutter is exposed to washing with a hose or other suitable means, so that removal or disassembly of the cutter from the apparatus is not necessary for such cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one form of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view at the right hand end of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the cutter and portions adjacent thereto, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a view of one of the knife blade assemblies on the cutter, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawing, the letter A designates generally the apparatus of this invention which is essentially mounted on a base or table B having a table top and a plurality of legs 11 depending therefrom. Such table top 10 and legs 11 may be made of any suitable material, but preferably they are made of metal, such as steel or stainless steel since they are used in the processing of food. A shelf 14, which is also preferably formed of steel or stainless steel is welded, or is otherwise secured, below the table top 10 for supporting a motor 15, and a speed reducer or gear box 16, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

At one end of the base or table B, a rotatable cutter C is mounted for rotation in a substantially vertical plane. The cutter C is mounted on a rotatable shaft 20 which extends through bearings 21 and 22, which are suitably supported by the base B. The shaft 20 is coupled by a conventional coupling 23 to a shaft 24 which extends to the speed reducer or gear box 16 (FIG. 1). The motor is operably connected by any conventional means to the speed reducer 16 so that the shaft and therefore the cutter C are rotated by the power sup plied from the electric motor l5.

A housing H (FIG. I) is disposed around the cutter C so as to completely enclose same, except for an open lower end, as will be more fully explained. The housing H includes a protector plate 25 which is preferably formed of stainless steel and which is welded or is otherwise secured to the base or frame B at one end thereof, inwardly of the cutter C. A suitable opening 25a is provided through the plate 25, through which the rotatable shaft 20 extends. The bearing 22 may be mounted on such plate 25 or on any support adjacent thereto which extends to the base or frame B. The bearing 21 is shown as being mounted on a bracket 21a which extends from the shelf 14 to the table top 10 (FIG. 2).

The protector plate 25 forming part of the housing H is preferably provided with a curved upper surface 25a which conforms with the curvature of the circular cutter C, as best seen in FIG. 3.

The housing H also includes a movable housing cover 30 which is formed of stainless steel or other suitable material, and which preferably includes a plate 30a which approximately corresponds in shape and size to the plate 25. A cover strip 30b which is also formed of stainless steel or other suitable material, is welded along one of its edges to the upper side edges of the plate 30a so as to provide the cover 30 which is adapted to fit into contact with or slightly over the plate 25 to completely enclose the cutter C, except for the open lower end of the housing H. Such open end of the housing H is provided because the side strip 30b does not extend across the lower edge 30c of the plate 30a (FIG. 2).

The moveable cover 30 is pivotally mounted to the base B, preferably by a piano-type hinge 40, which is riveted, welded or is otherwise attached in any conventional manner to the side cover strip 30b and one of the legs 11 of the base B (FIG. 4). The movable cover 30 is adapted to swing from the open position shown in FIG. 2 to the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Any suitable latching means may be provided to retain the movable cover 30 in the closed position, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the cover 30 is latched in the closed position by a latch bar 41 which has a notch 41a therein, into which the lower edge of the plate 30a is adapted to be positioned. The notch 41a is shallow enough so that the door H may be swung from the closed position of FIG. I to the open position of FIGS. 2 and 4, by merely pulling on the handle 42 which is secured to the plate 30a (FIG. 1).

The cutter C is preferably a circular cast iron member which is formed with a plurality of slots 50 (FIGS. 3 and 5). As seen in FIG. 3, each of the slots 50 is curved outwardly from a central hub 51 which is mounted on the shaft 20. The slots 50 terminate at the outer ring 52 of the cast body 53 of the cutter C. The inner face or cutting face 530 of the cutter body 53 is angled or slanted so as to receive a cutter blade 55 on the side of each of the slots 50, and a backup plate or strip 56 on the other side of each of the slots 50. The blades 55 are secured to the cutter body 53 by rivets 55a or other suitable attaching means, and the backup plates 53 are similarly mounted with rivets 56a or other suitable attaching means. It is to be noted from the illustration in FIG. 5 that each cutter blade 55 is spaced laterally with respect to its adjacent backup plate 56 so that there is a slicing action by each of the blades 55 as the cutter C is rotated in a clockwise direction (FIG. 3). Thus, as shown, the cutter C is rotated in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 3) for the cutting of the portions or slices from the heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like, as will be more evident hereinafter. It will be appreciated that the particular arrangement for the cutter C and particularly each cutter assembly which includes each cutter knife 55 and its backup plate 56 for each of the slots 50, may be varied in construction so long as the cutting action is obtained by the rotation of the cutter C in one direction or the other, or both.

A feeding means F is included in the apparatus A of this invention for the self-feeding of the heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like, to the cutting face 53a of the cutter C: The feeding means F is also preferably formed of stainless steel and one form of such feeding means F is illustrated in the drawing. The feeding means F includes a pair of tubular chutes or tubes 60 which are joined together at their upper end to provide a common opening 61. In use, the heads of cabbage or lettuce are dropped into the elongated opening 61 and are guided to either of the chutes 60 by means of a central guide edge 62 which is the junction between the adjacent sides of each of the chutes 60.

It is to be noted that each of the chutes 60 extends through corresponding openings a in the table top 10 and is welded or otherwise secured thereto. The table top 10 may be fully open adjacent the chutes 60 rather than having just the openings 10a, if desired. As illustrated, each of the chutes 60 has an upper end which is slightly larger than the sizes of the heads of cabbage or lettuce to be fed thereto, and therebelow, each chute 60 is progressively reduced in width from its upper end to its lower end. Each of the chutes 60 extends through the plate (FIG. 4) to provide an open side 600 (FIG. 4) adjacent to the cutting face 53a of the cutter C. The chutes 60 are preferably welded to the plate 25. The shape of each such opening 60a is oblong, being progressively reduced in width from its upper end to its lower end as seen in the dotted lines of FIG. 3.

By reason of such construction of the feeding means F, the heads of cabbage or lettuce may be dropped into the opening 61 from a conveyor or other suitable equipment (not shown) above the opening 61, and the heads will then automatically drop into one of the other of the chutes 60. The reduction in the width and size of the chutes 60 from their upper ends to their lower ends is provided so that the heads are initially received near the upper end of each chute 60 in engagement with the cutter C, and as portions of the heads are cut or sliced therefrom, the heads become smaller and are permitted to drop downwardly to the progressively smaller portions of the chutes 60. As the heads move downwardly, additional heads may be received on top of the lower head or heads, and there fore the weight of the heads on top of the lower head or heads increases the feeding of the lower head or heads into the knives 55 of the cutter C. Thus, there usually are three or four heads working in each chute 60 at a time and the heads on the top are contributing their weight to the gravity feed of the heads at the bottom so that there is not only a self-feeding of each of the heads by its own weight, but there is also an additional feeding force from the weight of the upper heads on the lower heads. The portions of the heads which are cut or sliced by the knives 55 pass through the gaps 57 (FIG. 5) between the knives 55 and backup plates 56, and then such cut portions pass through the slots and drop downwardly within the housing H through the open lower end of the housing H into a receptacle such as a box 70 shown in FIG. 1. Instead of the box 70, any other suitable means may be provided for receiving theshredded or cut cabbage, lettuce or the like. For example, a belt conveyor (not shown) may be disposed along the lower end of the housing H for receiving the cut portions of the heads of cabbage or lettuce, so as to transport them to another area for further processing or packaging.

In the operation or use of the apparatus of this invention, the cutter C is rotated, preferably clockwise as viewed in FIG. 3, so that the blades move across the openings 60a of each of the chutes 60 for cutting or shredding portions of the heads of cabbage or lettuce which are disposed in each of the chutes 60. The speed at which the cutter C is rotated may be varied by having a variable speed electric motor 15, or by varying the speed with the speed reducer 16. The feeding of the heads of cabbage or lettuce to the open upper end 6] of the feeding means F is timed in accordance with the speed of cutting by the cutter C. Such feeding is by hand or by means of conventional belt conveyors (not shown) disposed above the open end 61 of the feeding means F. Thus, the heads of cabbage, lettuce, or the like, are dropped into the open end 61 and they move into either of the chutes 60 by reason of the guiding edge 62. If one of the chutes 60 becomes filled more rapidly than the other one, the heads are diverted to the other chute.

In some instances, it may be desirable to use only one chute 60, and if such is done, the opening 61 to such single chute 60 is appropriately reduced so as to receive only one head of cabbage or lettuce at a time.

In any event, the heads are fed to the feeding means F and they are self-feeding because they feed by gravity downwardly in each of the chutes 60 as portions thereof are cut by the cutter C. Because of the progressively decreasing size of each of the chutes 60, even the smallest portions of the heads which remain in the chutes are forced into contact with the blades 55 on the cutter C and are thus cut and shredded so as to move them out of the chutes 60.

When it is desired to clean the cutter C, the movable housing 30 may be readily pivoted to the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and the cutter C may be cleaned with water from a conventional hose or any other equipment, but it is not necessary to remove the cutter C to obtain a thorough cleaning of same. It is to be noted that the housing H serves to confine the cut portions of the heads of cabbage or lettuce after they pass through the slots 50 so as to assure the discharge of such portions into the receptacle 70 or a suitable conveyor (not shown). Also, the housing H serves as a safety guard over the cutter C to protect personnel in the area.

Since the feeding means F is disposed in relationship to the cutter C so that there is a self-feeding of the heads of cabbage or lettuce or the like, to the knives 55 of the cutter C, it is un necessary for a person to force the heads against the knives 55 with the person's hands, and it is also unnecessary to use a pusher of a mechanical type to force such heads into cutting engagement with the knives 55 of the cutter C. Therefore, it is unnecessary for an operator to be constantly in attendance at the apparatus A when it is in use. Of course, an operator may be utilized for manually dropping the heads into the open end 61 of the feeding means F, but if such is done, the operator does not have to force the heads downwardly into contact with the cutter C, so that danger to the operator's hands is obviated.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is:

I. An apparatus for cutting or shredding heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like, comprising:

a. a rotatable cutter, having a cutting face including a plu rality of curved cutting blades disposed adjacent corresponding curved slots through the cutter adapted to be engaged by a head of cabbage, lettuce or the like for cutting portions from same and wherein the portions of each head which are cut by the blades passes through said slots for discharge;

b. means for rotating said cutter;

. feeding means for continuously self-feeding heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like, to at least a portion of each of said cutting face curved blades throughout each revolution of said blades wherein each of said curved blades continuously cuts a portion from the heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like supplied by said feeding means throughout each revolution of the cutter.

2. The structure set forth in claim I wherein:

a. said feeding means includes a plurality of chutes with a common open upper end, and wherein each of said plurality of chutes includes an open lower end adjacent the cutting face of said cutter.

. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein:

. said cutter is disposed for rotation in a substantially vertical plane; and

b. each of said plurality of chutes is substantially vertical and extends upwardly from its open lower end adjacent for cutting face of the cutter to the common open upper end.

The structure set forth in claim 2 including: means for receiving a plurality of heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like, disposed one on top of the other, for ad- ,ding the weight of the upper head or heads to the lower head or heads to provide an additional force for feeding the heads into the cutting face.

5. The structure set forth in claim 1 including:

a. a removable housing adapted to fit over said cutter and 5 having an open lower end through which the cut portions from the heads drop.

6. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. the lower end of each of said chutes has a gradually reduced size adjacent said cutting face for holding and guiding each head in contact with the cutting face as each head moves downwardly across the cutting face.

7. The structure set forth in claim 1 including:

a. a base for supporting said rotatable cutter;

b. a cover for said cutter; and

c. hinge means pivotally connecting said cover to said base for swinging said cover away from said cutter to expose same for cleaning said cutter with a hose or the like and without removing the cutter from the base.

8. The structure set forth in claim 7, wherein:

a. said cutter is disposed for rotation in a substantially vertical plane; and

b. said hinge means is disposed substantially vertically for swinging said cover in a substantially horizontal plane. 

1. An apparatus for cutting or shredding heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like, comprising: a. a rotatable cutter, having a cutting face including a plurality of curved cutting blades disposed adjacent corresponding curved slots through the cutter adapted to be engaged by a head of cabbage, lettuce or the like for cutting portions from same and wherein the portions of each head which are cut by the blades passes through said slots for discharge; b. means for rotating said cutter; c. feeding means for continuously self-feeding heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like, to at least a portion of each of said cutting face curved blades throughout each revolution of said blades wherein each of said curved blades continuously cuts a portion from the heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like supplied by said feeding means throughout each revolution of the cutter.
 2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said feeding means includes a plurality of chutes with a common open upper end, and wherein each of said plurality of chutes includes an open lower end adjacent the cutting face of said cutter.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said cutter is disposed for rotation in a substantially vertical plane; and b. each of said plurality of chutes is substantially vertical and extends upwardly from its open lower end adjacent for cutting face of the cutter to the common open upper end.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 2 including: a. means for receiving a plurality of heads of cabbage, lettuce or the like, disposed one on top of the other, for adding the weight of the upper head or heads to the lower head or heads to provide an additional force for feeding the heads into the cutting face.
 5. The structure set forth in claim 1 including: a. a removable housing adapted to fit over said cutter and having an open lower end through which the cut portions from the heads drop.
 6. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. the lower end of each of said chutes has a gradually reduced size adjacent said cutting face for holding and guiding each head in contact with the cutting face as each head moves downwardly across the cutting face.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 1 including: a. a base for supporting said rotatable cutter; b. a cover for said cutter; and c. hinge means pivotally connecting said cover to said base for swinging said cover away from said cutter to expose same for cleaning said cutter with a hose or the like and without removing the cutter from the base.
 8. The structure set forth in claim 7, wherein: a. said cutter is disposed for rotation in a substantially vertical plane; and b. said hinge means is disposed substantially vertically for swinging said cover in a substantially horizontal plane. 